PLANNING 101
Planning to attend our Annual Conference July 4-8, 2012 in St. Petersburg, Florida? There are numerous things to look forward to such as inspiring interactive workshops, motivational speakers, and countless opportunities to network with fellow stutterers and speech-language pathologists. Not to mention our live charity auction and closing banquet where you get to show your moves on the dance floor after our catered dinner! View our 2012 Conference Brochure for more information that will help with your planning.

2012 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION MATERIAL
Click here for our 2012 Conference Registration Form or you can register directly online.
 

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Our 2012 conference hotel is the award-winning Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida. Please support the NSA and help us to fill our contractual commitment on rooms by staying at this hotel! 

Please contact info@westutter.org to make your reservation at the NSA conference rate now. 
 

TRANSPORTATION
Ambassador Limousine and Sedan is pleased to be offering the NSA an amazing round trip rate of $35.00/Person (kids under 4 travel for free) plus gratuity. Leaving approximately every 30 minutes upon arrival, this will be a direct shuttle service to the resort, no other stops will be made. 

To book your reservations, please click here.

Keep in mind that:

       • Reservations must be booked as Round Trip and will only be accepted online until June 29th, 2012

       • Departure times to the airport should be 2 - 2 1/2 hours prior to flight departure time

       • Any changes and/or cancellations must be called in to Ambassador Limousine at 727-442-9050

Please feel free to visit Ambassador's website at www.ambassadorlimotampa.com for more information.
 

Renting a car? Great idea! You’ll have the freedom to explore the greater St. Petersburg area, and with our special on-site parking rate of only $6/day, it’s a steal! Let us help you book your rental car. We have secured special discounted rates with Dollar Rent-A-Car.  Reservations may be made through our Corporate Reservation Link, by calling (800) 800-4000, or by visiting Dollar.com.  However you make your reservation, please use the Corporate Discount Code #CM2373.
 

TRAVEL TIPS
Getting to our Annual Conference is always fun, but with travel conditions constantly fluctuating, managing the details can be a nightmare! Save time and avoid stress by following our helpful hints.

• Book as EARLY as possible; this cannot be stressed enough. Our conference takes place this year over a holiday weekend and one of the biggest getaway days for summer. Flights will sell out fast, especially now that many airlines have drastically cut routes to save money.

• Did you know that there is a science to booking the cheap airfares? The secret time is at 1 a.m. EST on Wednesdays (10 p.m. PST). Airlines that cannot fill seats from the previous week will start initiating "fare wars" by listing their prices at the lowest rate possible. This is especially true for the low-cost airlines (i.e. Jetblue, Southwest, AirTran).By purchasing your fares at this time, you'll lock in the lowest price.

• If your schedule allows, consider flying in a few days early and taking an indirect flight. Although it may be more convenient to fly direct, you will also pay for that luxury. If you have time and are willing to do so, consider connecting. You can save as much as $100...or more!

• Use common sense when getting to the airport. If your carrier suggests you be there an hour before, allow yourself 90 minutes just to play it safe. If you fly Southwest, be advised that certain airports are major hubs, and 90 minutes is a minimum suggestion, so give yourself two hours.

• Most importantly HAVE FUN, STAY SAFE, and we'll see you in St. Petersburg!
 

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Need help getting to the conference this year? Thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors and many of our members, we are pleased to announce that scholarships are available to provide financial assistance for people who stutter who would like to attend our annual conference. Our goal is that families/adults who cannot afford to join us will now be able to attend. If you would like more information regarding scholarships please tell us by emailing Tammy at tflores@WeStutter.org. Speech therapists are also asked to email us to help identify families who would benefit from this assistance.

NSA is very grateful to the generosity of many individuals and companies, which allows us to offer this financial help. If you or your company would like to make a donation, please email Tammy at tflores@WeStutter.org for more information.
 

ADULT WORKSHOP INFORMATION
As a result of a dramatic increase in conference attendance, we are extremely excited to announce that adult workshop will start on Wednesday afternoon, July 4! We will kick things off with a First Timer’s Orientation at 10:00AM on Wednesday that will help you learn what to expect and show you how to get the most out of the conference. There will be another First Timer’s orientation on Thursday in case you are arriving late.

It’s impossible to describe how powerful it is to spend four days with hundreds of people who “get it”; who understand what it is like to live with a stutter every day and still succeed. It’s something you have to experience for yourself. You are able to learn about stuttering from experts, explore your attitudes toward speaking, try out new techniques in dozens of workshops, be inspired by keynote speakers and NSA award winners, explore the are through great tours, and end it all by dancing the night away at the Saturday night dinner, dance, and auction.

We have to warn you that the NSA conference is life-changing and habit-forming! Attendees often say that once you come to your first conference you will never miss one again. If you want to do something about your stuttering or help your child who stutters, take the most rewarding risk of your life and join us this year in Florida. You’ll be glad you did!
 

TWENTY-SOMETHINGS
The transition from teen to adult can bring all sorts of new challenges. Making its debut in Cleveland, the “Twenty Something’s” program is designed specifically for 20- 29 year olds. We understand that you are past the “teen scene” and are not quite feeling the “adult crowd” just yet. We had this in mind as we planned your conference program. This program will offer workshops that deal with the issues that challenge most Twenty-Something’s like dating/relationships, job interviews, career choices, advertising your stuttering and many others, and we have planned workshops, social time, a meet-and-greet and other age-specific activities. Never feel like you don’t belong at a conference again! Come hang out with people your age that understand what you are going through. Be there, you’ll be glad you did!
 

FAMILY AND YOUTH PROGRAM
The NSA conference is 4 days packed with activities that will enrich the entire family. From Wednesday afternoon’s Meet n’ Greet to the banquet on Saturday night, kids, teens and parents will be taken care of. School-age children and teens who stutter build self-confidence in workshops and play activities facilitated by professionals, NSA staff, parents, and SLPs. Parents meet with expert clinicians and get valuable support from one another. Workshops, outings, and presentations of all sorts will help families get to know each other and learn that they are not alone with their questions and challenges. Invest time with your family to explore, learn, network and share stuttering with leading experts who specialize in working with children and adolescents who stutter, as well as with other families. Bring the whole family! Parents, children who stutter (ages 5 and older) and their siblings can participate in activities and workshops which will enrich the whole family.

Families who have experienced the NSA conference have said they wish they had known about us years before. This is a rare chance for you to take a break from life’s busy days to focus on your child’s stuttering and what you can do to help. Meet with some of the world’s outstanding stuttering specialists while sharing stories with others families. Children and teens could be reluctant to come for the first time but chances are, they’ll want to come back. The simple act of meeting other people who stutter can be liberating! In private parent sessions, questions will be answered by meeting teens and adults who stutter. At the same time, children will explore their stuttering in a fun and safe environment.
 

CHAPTER LEADER TRAINING
Chapter Leader training begins Thursday morning, July 5th with the Adult Chapter Leader Workshop. We also hold a Leadership Workshop for TwST and NSAKids leaders. If you are a chapter leader or would like to become one, this workshop is a must. Leadership development, chapter growth, leader support, and more will be addressed.

HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS

• NSA BBQ & Fireworks Show - Wednesday July 4 at 7:00 pm.  Come down Wednesday evening for the NSA’s 4th of July ‘Freedom of Speech at the Beach’ BBQ on the front Esplanade at the Vinoy! Join us by the the pool where we have reserved the entire fireworks viewing area and enjoy some good food and great company. The cost to attend is $17/adult (12 years and older) and $12/child (under 12) and includes hamburgers and hot dogs, sides of coleslaw, watermelon, iced tea, and lemonade. Beer and wine will also be available at our cash bar.  Register online to attend.
   
• Opening Celebration – Thursday, July 5 starting at 6:00 pm: Our 90-minute Opening Celebration will include guest speakers, conference awards, and light hors d’oeuvres followed by cool entertainment. Afterwards, head to the bar to mingle with First-Timers and conference regulars.
   
• Closing Ceremony - Saturday July 7 from 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm: The culmination and celebration of the entire conference happens here!
  
  
• Live Auction and Banquet – Saturday, July 7 starting at 6:30 pm Going…going…GONE! These simple words can mean only one thing...it’s time for the NSA auction! Our live auction is one of our largest fundraisers as well as a much-loved conference staple. So when you pack for St. Petersburg, don’t forget your credit cards, and be sure to leave some extra room in your luggage for all of the great treasures we’ll have on auction! Join us at 6:30 for a cocktail reception; doors open at 7:00 pm.  This is the time to dress to impress in your fancy clothes, grab your beach buddies, and head to the closing party, including the live auction and a delicious catered dinner. Dress is typically formal/semi-formal, similar to what you would wear to a wedding, but please dress in whatever is comfortable to you.

• Silent Auction - Ongoing  Our silent auction consisting of smaller items will also be returning to the conference this year. This ongoing event is another chance to bid on exciting treasures and help out the NSA at the same time. Talk about a win-win situation!  Have an item to donate to either auction?  Let us know!

The complete Conference Program that includes all workshop schedules and events will be available by June 15, 2012 and will be sent to you via an e-mail blast from the National Office. Be sure to check it out before coming so you can become familiar with what to expect in more detail.

DO I NEED TO STAY AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL?

Not necessarily, but we would prefer that you do if at all possible; it's where all of the action is! Our hotel contract is tied to ‘room nights’, and the more room nights we reserve, the more conference amenities (like workshop breakout rooms and conference services) we receive. Please contact info@westutter.org directly make your reservation.
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Still have questions?  Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us!